[Sca-cooks] thank you presents for staff members

[Jane Boyko]

> makes me wonder what other such gifts have you made for or given to the
> staff members who have helped you at an event? Or if you have worked as
> a member of an event staff, what kinds of things would you like to
> recieve, other than at least a "thank you".

I have given out medieval cookbooks and food history books, little tiny 
containers of saffron, hand-made beeswax candles, bamboo paddle spoons, 
napkins, napkin rings, a book on armour and for some people a copy of the 
most recent Cook's Illustrated.  It depends on who is helping me during the 
day and how much help I get from certain individuals.  For the people who 
volunteer on the day I usually give smaller items like the napkins, candles 
etc.  For those who have help throughout the weeks preceding the feast I 
usually give something larger such as the books.  It always depends on my 
budget and what I am able to find.  

I usually give a gift when I teach a class as well.  When I teach a cooking 
class I try to give spices or something small.  When I teach embroidery I 
have given out specialty threads, wooden needle cases etc.

Largess I have recieved have come in the forms of pins, buttons, cloth and 
spices but these are usually from people who ate feast not who I have helped.  
If I have forgotten that someone gave me a gift for helping in their kitchen 
then I am truly sorry for my faulty memory.  I am usually pretty good at 
remembering.

For the most part I try to give out a gift that will help people in the game 
we play either in helping to create a medieval environment, or add to their 
persona's possessions and/or in providing more thought for research into 
cooking or embroidery.

Marina